Vol. 08 - Issue 02
In this issue
DISPATCH is SpectorSoft's official newsletter for its Resellers and Partners. With Dispatch, you'll be the first to hear about SpectorSoft product updates, services, enhanced technology, case studies, and all the latest news — directly from the source. We want you to be the hero in guiding your customers to the cost-savings, legal protection, and smart network management that results from using SpectorSoft monitoring solutions.
Spector 360 Awarded PC Magazine Editors' Choice
Spector 360 has been awarded PC Magazine Editors' Choice in a June 2008 review. In awarding the product four and a half stars out of a possible five, author Matthew Sarrel called Spector 360 "better than anything else I have tested" and "mature."
The in-depth analysis began by discussing why employers should use products like Spector 360 to detect if employees are misusing computing resources noting, "If installed before your problems begin, monitoring software may prevent malfeasance, because employees know they are being watched."
Sarrel commented that installing Spector 360 was a breeze, "the server components took less than half an hour" and the Client Deployment Utility is a "straightforward, well-documented wizard."
The article discussed Spector 360's many monitoring features and in-depth reports stating, "The software really began to show its excellence at internal espionage." While discussing Data Loss Prevention, a growing issue that employers face, Sarrel noted, "Talk about an audit trail! The system is powerful enough to uncover data loss by tracking users sending sensitive files as attachments or copying them to removable storage devices such as USB keys, iPods, or CDs." Sarrel also liked Spector 360's unique Keyword Alerts saying, "This feature works well, and alerts were typically e-mailed in a few minutes."
The reviewer highlighted 360's built in reporting functionality saying, "The product's comprehensive reporting features really make it stand apart from the crowd ... Spector 360 gives you a full-fledged application with plenty of text reports, charts, and graphs. If you've chosen to capture everything, as I recommend, you can slice and dice by application, user, Web sites visited — almost by anything you can imagine."
Mr. Sarrel concludes by saying, "I'd be hard-pressed to find any major deficiencies in Spector 360. I've been following this space for years, and I think this is the most mature product in the class. And it's likely to get better." Read the entire review online.
From the Trenches: Reseller Spotlight
EZ Micro Solutions, Inc. is a Managed Services Provider located just outside of Allentown, PA. EZ Micro's focus is delivering products and services proven to be valued components of a complete IT solution.
"After numerous and repeated requests from customers, EZ Micro evaluated several monitoring solutions and Spector 360 – without question -- outshined them all," said Sales Manager Rich Hyde. "We firmly believe that SpectorSoft developed a product that not only meets, but exceeds, what our clients want in a monitoring solution.
"In addition, working with SpectorSoft's sales and marketing staff is a delight. SpectorSoft has supported us at every turn, including onsite marketing events. The company as a whole is a model of what I wish I could find in all our vendors."
— Rich Hyde, Sales Manager
Spector 360 SR3: Enhanced SQL and Website Filtering Coming Soon!
Spector 360 SR3, the latest Spector 360 upgrade expected to be available in July, will enhance the monitoring program's ability to handle massive amounts of data by including Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express or SQL Server 2005 Standard. In addition, Spector 360 SR3 will feature updated and improved Website Filtering categories.
- SQL 2005: Easy to deploy and compatible with previous data, a new, robust SQL Server component will give Spector 360 even more power, scalability, and flexibility, ensuring that monitoring will keep pace with growing needs. SQL Server 2005 Express will be part of Spector 360 purchases up to 999 licenses, while SQL Server 2005 Standard will come with Spector 360 purchases of 1,000 or more licenses.
- Website Filtering: Spector 360's Website Filtering categories will be updated and expanded, increasing web domain count by approximately 30 percent. A new "Social Networking" category will permit users to quickly add MySpace, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social networking sites to an organization's web filtering rules.
Additional Spector 360 SR3 Enhancements
- Active Directory Integration
Spector 360 SR3 will allow users to synchronize the list of computers in the Spector 360 Control Center with the Windows network Active Directory. If a user has a domain network with Active Directory Service (ADS) enabled, there will be no need to manually add new computers to the Control Center list. Users will be able to simply direct the Control Center to automatically update its list from the Active Directory … new computers will be added and obsolete computers will be removed. An up-to-date list makes it easier to ensure the Spector 360 Client is deployed and recording throughout the network. See "Tech Tips" for more info » - Password Masking
User privacy and security can be protected if desired by recording all keystrokes EXCEPT passwords. Configure keystroke recording to display asterisks (*) for characters in passwords. - Support Traveling Laptops Over Regular Internet Connection
An external IP or NAT address at the Spector 360 Server will receive recorded data from and apply Website Filtering to remote and traveling laptop computers. To ensure security, this data will be encrypted during Internet transmission. - View "Bottom" Data in Charts
In addition to "Top 10" and "Trend" Quick View charts, the Spector 360 Dashboard will provide a view of the "Bottom 10" Users, Programs, Domains, and so on. The "Bottom" charts will reveal "occasional" or "least used" programs and activities to effectively highlight activities or programs that may fall into the category of "unseen" or "out of sight, out of mind."
Click here to view ALL the new features in Spector 360 SR3
Demo Spector 360 without Leaving the Office!
Webinar Attendee Feedback
"The instructor was very knowledgeable and thorough in his presentation. The single best thing about it was that it did not take an hour or more to convey 30 minutes worth of material. We immediately got into the product, what it was, how it worked, various configurations, and the benefits of owning it. We had a short Q&A session and we were done."
Terry Adams, Diversified Computer Resources, Inc., Pocola, OK
"Because my company has recently begun to evaluate several SpectorSoft Products for clients we serve, I was referred to and recently attended a Spector 360 training webinar. I was impressed by the individual leading the training … he was very knowledgeable about the product on all levels and was able to answer all my questions as well as those of other attendees.
Spector 360 webinars are a great resource and we will be attending more sessions in the future as we begin to explore all of the many possibilities this impressive product has to offer."
Joey Nikkel, Barnaby & Associates LLC, Longmont, CO
Passport Podium Webinars
As part of its new Passport Partner Program, SpectorSoft conducts a weekly series of Passport Podium Webinars designed to show Spector 360 in action.
Passport Podium Webinars are interactive and available at no charge to SpectorSoft Partners and their customers. The one-hour sessions, hosted by Channel Sales Engineer John Donoghue, provide an opportunity to ask questions and see real-time examples of how SpectorSoft's flagship monitoring solution provides multiple ways to quickly review employee or student PC and Internet activity, as well as analyze trends and patterns.
SpectorSoft's Webinars are a great sales tool with an extremely high close rate, so schedule one now to learn more about Spector 360 yourself as well as show customers Spector 360 without the preparation, time, or expense of an on-site demo.
Reserve a Seat!
To reserve seats at an upcoming Spector 360 Webinar, contact Channel Account Manager Sean Coakley at 888-598-2788, extension 2768 or email sean@spectorsoft.com.
Upcoming Portal Will Enhance Passport Partner Website
The SpectorSoft Passport Partner Portal is scheduled to be rolled out in July, so watch your mailbox for the announcement and your invitation to sign up! This portal will give you fast and easy access to marketing and sales materials, training, presentation materials, a Webinar scheduler, the SpectorSoft Technical Support Knowledge Base and more.
Meet SpectorSoft
Meet: Doug Taylor, Director of Event Marketing
Background: : A graduate of the University of South Florida, Doug has been in the computer industry for more than 20 years. Having worked for Solution Providers, Entre Computer, CompuAdd, and C & C Computers, Doug has developed a deep respect for the Reseller community. It is that admiration and hands-on knowledge that Doug has brought to several software companies including Ocean Isle Software, Level Five Research, Command Software, and CrossTec Corporation.
History: Doug joined SpectorSoft in July 2007. Besides coordinating both live and online events, Doug is involved with marketing Spector 360 to the education vertical market. Doug also helps coordinate marketing activities for the SpectorSoft Channel Team and works with Partners to help them promote SpectorSoft products.
Believes In: "SpectorSoft's award-winning products are a great fit for Passport Partners. If you sell into the education or business markets, you will be doing them and yourself a disservice if you don't mention the many benefits of SpectorSoft's product line. By improving student/employee productivity, making networks safer and reducing bandwidth and printing costs, your customers will realize almost immediate ROI."
Meet: Phil Wildstein, Partner Recruitment Specialist
Background: Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Phil has 12 years experience in the computer reseller channel, starting as an account executive and then as a sales manager for National Computer Distributors. He also owned and managed a computer business for six years.
History: Phil joined SpectorSoft in March 2008. His responsibilities include providing SpectorSoft Partners with the training and marketing materials necessary to help them succeed in selling monitoring solutions.
Believes In: "My experience in the wholesale channel and in running my own business gives me inside understanding of what SpectorSoft Partners want and need to support their effort. SpectorSoft provides solutions that are best in their class, and my role is to help provide ways that SpectorSoft products can be presented to end users as well as to help Partners secure the opportunities they develop."
Trade Show Report
Upcoming Events
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2008
Jul 7-10, 2008 — George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
SpectorSoft is pleased to be part of Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). The WPC provides a forum in which Resellers can learn more about business growth opportunities and product innovations from Microsoft and leading Independent Software Vendors such as SpectorSoft. Visit SpectorSoft at Booth #126.
Join SpectorSoft at Everything Channel CMP XChange 2008
August 17-20, 2008 — Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, Dallas, TX
SpectorSoft will once again be part of Everything Channel CMP XChange, one of the major channel events of the year. CMP's XChange 2008 is a four-day event featuring educational Seminars led by senior editors and analysts, the VARBusiness Annual Report Card Awards Dinner, a Vendor Showcase exhibit hall, and Boardroom presentations from SpectorSoft and others designed to highlight the latest technologies. At previous XChange events, SpectorSoft has been named "Best Software Solution" finalist, and has received honors for "Best Presentation."
Live Links
Each issue of Dispatch contains links to help you explain, sell, and support SpectorSoft solutions.
New Success Stories Make a Great Case for Spector 360
Whether you call them Success Stories or Case Studies, some of the most powerful Spector 360 sales tools available include two new in-depth looks at how SpectorSoft's flagship employee monitoring software increases productivity and minimizes liability … to name just two broad benefits. Check out how IMV Projects of Calgary, Alberta, Canada will recoup from $200K to as much as $1 million over the next year, and how F&B Communications found "all but two" of its employees were abusing the system with excessive personal emailing and non-work Internet surfing. The links:
IMV Projects,
F&B Communications
'Do the Math' with the Spector 360 ROI Calculator
To illustrate how Spector 360 can dramatically decrease unwanted behavior in your customer's workplace and provide speedy and often dramatic ROI, "Do the Math" with – or for – your customers by following the easy steps online at: ROI Calculator
Meet Our Press
SpectorSoft has been making waves in the Press since first introducing the groundbreaking Spector nearly 10 years ago. A collection of some of the more impressive press mentions is available at:
Spector 360,
Spector CNE Investigator, Spector Pro
Who's Talking About Us?
SpectorSoft Chosen as CRN "Emerging Technology"
SpectorSoft is being named to CRN's upcoming Emerging Technology list! This prestigious list will be featured in the publication's June 30 issue … it's a great year-long reference guide for up and coming products for Solution Providers and their customers.
Spector Pro Receives Parenting "Seal of Approval"
Spector Pro 2008 has been honored with The National Parenting Center's 2008 Seal of Approval for Computer Software. The National Parenting Center's product testing division is run by independent testers including parents, educators and panelists of The National Parenting Center. Spector Pro testing involved a multi-step process conducted over an eight-week period. Read More
eBlaster and Spector Pro Named "Best Products"
by iParenting Media
Spector Pro 2008 and eBlaster 2008 have received iParenting Media's Best Products of 2008 Awards in the Computer Software category. Spector Pro and eBlaster underwent a thorough ISO 9001 certified evaluation process to win iParenting Media Awards Best Products of 2008 honors. The products were selected from hundreds of submittals based on value, product quality, ease of use, educational nature and uniqueness, among other criteria. iParenting Media is part of Disney Online's network of family-focused web sites. Read More
Spector Pro Again Receives 5 Stars from About.com
Tony Bradley, CISSP-ISSAP, Network Security Guide for About.com since 2003, once again reports that Spector Pro is the software of choice when it comes to monitoring software. Writes Bradley: "Spector Pro 6.0 once again sets the bar for this type of software. If you have any need to monitor the activity on your own computer, your employee's computers or the computers of your children this is the program to do it with." Read More
Tech Tips
Spector 360 – Synchronize Control Center with Active Directory
To synchronize the Spector 360 Control Center list with the Windows Active Directory:
1. Open the Control Center Properties. Right-click the Control Center icon, select Properties and Network.
2. On the Network Properties panel under Background Updating, select:
- Background Update of Control Center Views
- Auto Update Computer List Using ADSI Database and
- Synchronize Computer List to ADSI Database
3. Click Apply and OK.
4. To update the Control Center list immediately from the Active Directory, open the Action menu and select Refresh.
Spector CNE Investigator (plus Spector 360 and Spector Pro) – Use Triggers for Efficient Snapshots
By default, the Spector CNE Investigator Client takes a Screen Snapshot once every 20 seconds. As you may know, Screen Snapshots can accumulate quickly, using up disk space on the Data Vault computer. You can devise a strategy that relies less on the Snapshot timer and more on carefully selected Snapshot Triggers (available from the Snapshot Settings dialog box). For example, you could take a Snapshot when:
- A key is pressed. A program function key may indicate an action you want to watch.
- A web site form is submitted. Capture purchases, online trading, or orders that might spark viral attacks.
- Window contents are scrolled. Just how much of each web page or document is he or she reading?
- A program is launched. See which application is actually started and the circumstances surrounding its startup.
As you review captured Snapshots in the Spector CNE Investigator Viewer, the status bar at the bottom of the window tells you which action triggered the Snapshot. Consult Help for more information.
Spector Pro (plus Spector 360 and Spector CNE Investigator) — Control Instant Messaging
Instant Messaging (IM) has become a way of life for many people. If messaging is taking too big a chunk out of the work day or homework time, Spector Pro offers several ways to put a stop to it:
- Block the Chat/IM contact. This prevents the person you are monitoring from communicating with this one contact. Do this by clicking the Block button as you review Chat/IM Activity.
- Block everyone except a few approved contacts. This allows communication with a teacher, a known friend, or a colleague, but no one else. Do this from the Block Chat/IM Settings.
- Block Internet Access to the chat protocol: MSN Messenger, AOL, Yahoo, and so on. This prevents messaging from happening at all, and you can set a schedule for applying this type of blocking. Do this from the Block Internet Access Settings.
As you block messaging, keep in mind that many messaging programs now allow communication with other IM users. For example, in Windows Live Messenger, you can message your usual Hotmail contacts and your Yahoo contacts. A number of third-party IM programs always have allowed this. Be sure to identify the type of messaging program being used and the full account name of the contact you wish to block.
About Us
SpectorSoft develops, markets and supports PC and Internet monitoring and surveillance products for education, business, government and home users, including Spector Pro, eBlaster, Spector for Mac, Spector CNE Investigator, and Spector 360. More than 50,000 companies and more than 400,000 consumers have purchased SpectorSoft solutions to crack down on Internet abuse in their business or home, and SpectorSoft has been selected for three years by Inc. Magazine as one of the Fastest Growing Private Companies in America. SpectorSoft monitoring technology is a THREE-TIME winner of the prestigious PC Magazine Editors’ Choice Award.